ABP Network Ideas Of India 2023: Shilpa Rao, an Indian playback singer whose voice has captivated audiences all over the world, sat down to talk about what it takes to score a hit, how to grant a vocalist the credit they deserve, and what fame means in the age of social media. Rao addressed the most controversial hit song, ‘Besharam Rang’, from the Shah Rukh Khan film Pathaan, during the ‘The Colors of Music’ session of the second ABP Network Ideas of India.
Shilpa Rao On The Appeal Of Besharam Rang
Besharam Rang, a song by Shilpa Rao, Caralisa Monteiro, and Vishal-Shekhar, received boycott calls due to Deepika Padukone’s orange outfit in the music video. Yet, that didn’t stop the audience from grooving along to the song.
“The story behind that song comprises Siddharth Aanand, Shekar, and Vishal, ye humari 5th film hai saath mein (this is out 5th film together). Jab bhi hum saath mein kaam karte hain there is an effort to make a good song (Whenever we work together, there is an effort to make a good song). It is not about the number of hits, likes, or views. To make a good song that our foremost thing,” said Shilpa Rao.
The singer stated that the song’s simplicity was a key factor in its appeal to the audience when asked why it struck a chord with them. “I think the fearlessness to do something new caught people’s eyes and attention. And the simplicity,” she added.
Speaking of her another hit collab with actor Deepika Padukone, the singer pointed out that more than luck it is their partnership that works. “In the studio we take care of the audio and when she goes to shoot she takes care of the video so it is half and half. I think we share the load with each other,” she said.
On Commercial Hits And Heartfelt Songs
Shilpa Rao, who is known for songs like Khuda Jaane, Besharam Rang, Ishq Shava, and many others, also noted how some songs, despite being heartfelt, fall short of becoming a hit on the commercial scene. “Sometimes you feel a song is meaningful to you, but it doesn’t work commercially. For example, in Laal Singh Chaddha I did ‘Tere Hawale’, that song was really something very special for me,” Rao said.
“We knew it will reach people’s hearts and sometimes it doesn’t become very big commercially. But you learn something from these successes and failures,” the singer added.
Due Credit Of A Singer
The Indian playback singer was asked if an artist gets their due credit even after not being on camera. Rao contradicts that actor’s get the fame but singers are in a different league. “I’m looking at someone who’s done work, consistently for maybe 10 or 15 years. It takes time to make a mark. That’s when you start getting the due. I know this voice and this particular singer, and then you start looking for that person. So I think, To even take that responsibility as a musician you need to do that considerable, consistently good work. To be able to make that mark and to be able to stand the test of time”, she explained.
On What Motivates Her
After spending over a decade in the Hindi film industry, Shilpa Rao asserts that staying motivated is a struggle for one. However, she also reveals what keeps her going in her music journey. “The only thing I know is that there is still so much to learn. Being motivated even when you are doing something is the most difficult thing. We come from a country where we have such great musicians as Begum Akhtar, Surinder Kaur, M. S. Subhalakshmi, and Amir Khan. Whenever I listen to them, there is so much to do. I think that is my inspiration to keep moving on,” Shilpa said.
She also said that no one is ever perfect and it takes a lot to make a song worth for the audience.
“Kalank I recorded for three months, 12 times. Koi bhi gaana ek baar mein nahi ban jata hai. That is not possible,” she added.
Ideas Of India Is Back
ABP Network Ideas Of India Summit is back for its second edition. On February 24 and 25, eminent personalities from all walks of life will share their thoughts on pertinent topics and issues, ranging from climate catastrophe to India’s position as a new global power player.
This year’s speakers will share their thoughts on what constitutes ‘Naya India’, and how our country, now the fifth-largest economy, can position itself as a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
This year, the ABP Network Ideas Of India summit — co-presented by Dabur Vedic Tea and co-powered by Dr Ortho, Gallant Advance, and Rajesh Masala (driven by Maruti Suzuki and with tech partner Panasonic) — will see notable speakers such as Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Minister Of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, musical artists Bickram Ghosh and Shubha Mudgal, authors Amitav Ghosh and Devdutt Pattanaik, actresses Sara Ali Khan, Yami Gautam, Asha Parekh and Zeenat Aman, actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Manoj Vajpayee, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, sports stars Jwala Gupta and Vinesh Phogat, and many more.